成语釜底抽薪的语义演变

Semantic evolution of Chinese idiom “釜底抽薪”

成语釜底抽薪语源春秋战国之际,意为抽去锅底下的柴火,比喻从根本上解决问题。在使用的过程中由于认为把柴从锅底抽掉,使情况变得更糟,逐渐有雪上加霜之义。釜底抽薪从中性色彩到贬义色彩的演变,是由异解另构造成的积非成是和古今观念的认知差异所致。

The Chinese idiom ＂釜底抽薪＂, derived from the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States period, means ＂to remove the firewood from the bottom of the pot＂ in semantics, and ＂to solve the problem fundamentally＂ in metaphor. In the process of using the idiom, it gradually has the meaning of ＂to make the situation worse＂. The evolution of the idiom meaning from a neutral one to a derogatory one is caused by different interpretation and cognitive difference.